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Post by Mopacman on Sept 26, 2024 18:24:04 GMT
Last weekend I ordered out an MTH Premier E6 ABA set in the MoPac road name in the used retail market. I received the order yesterday, eagerly looking forward to receiving it as I had been looking for this set for years. That anticipation quickly turned to frustration when I put the set on the track and put the power to it. No response, only that familiar acrid smell of overheating wiring, a slight smoky haze, and an MTH transformer that continually pops the circuit breaker when a short circuit is detected. I replaced the battery with a new J & W BCR 9 volt battery, which didn’t help.
My normal brand of choice is older Williams engines, due to their simplicity and reliability. So, buying this set was out of my comfort zone. With the streamlined MTH company not focusing on customer service (especially for secondary market purchases) I am turning to the O Gauge Forum group for advice. Any suggestions on what to test. My first thought is fried circuit boards. Hope I am wrong. Thank you in advance for advice.
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Post by superwarp1 on Sept 26, 2024 18:48:36 GMT
SKU number of the set, PS2 5 volt? know it's not PS2 3 volt or PS3 electronics as you replaced the 9 volt batt with a BCR? Pop the shell and take pics. need more info.
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Post by Mopacman on Sept 27, 2024 1:49:19 GMT
I believe these engines are “Toast.” This evening I tried one more time to get this engine to run. The result was a large amount of smoke, caused by melting wire insulation, which would have started a fire if left unattended. I spoke with an authorized MTH repairman in Kansas City. His diagnosis was bad circuit boards. He indicated that replacement boards are over $300 apiece, and two would be needed because of a slave A unit. To repair these would be around $700. His suggestion, which I will accept, is to return these engines for a refund. Apparently, replacement electronics are very difficult to get from MTH. So, I will await for the decision from the seller, due tomorrow, and proceed accordingly. |
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Post by david1 on Sept 27, 2024 5:44:28 GMT
Most likely ps2.0 5 volt, next time you buy a older Mth engine you must change the battery with a BCR OR a new battery, if not you will short the boards. If you bought it from a well known seller he states in the ad you must change the battery!! Good luck.
Dave
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Post by superwarp1 on Sept 27, 2024 11:53:38 GMT
I believe these engines are “Toast.” This evening I tried one more time to get this engine to run. The result was a large amount of smoke, caused by melting wire insulation, which would have started a fire if left unattended. I spoke with an authorized MTH repairman in Kansas City. His diagnosis was bad circuit boards. He indicated that replacement boards are over $300 apiece, and two would be needed because of a slave A unit. To repair these would be around $700. His suggestion, which I will accept, is to return these engines for a refund. Apparently, replacement electronics are very difficult to get from MTH. So, I will await for the decision from the seller, due tomorrow, and proceed accordingly. I'm sorry but I'm going to call BS on that repair guy. If you really like these engines, you can have them upgraded to PS3 for just 400 in parts. You would make the slave unit it's own engine with it's own ID. You would run them in a MU/lashup configuration.
Up to you. There are people out there that would do the conversion for you and the last I knew the PS3 boards were in stock.
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Post by david1 on Sept 27, 2024 22:48:39 GMT
Follow the advice of Gary, your friend that you contacted is no friend if he wants $700!! Plus the PS3 is way better then your repair guy wanted to do.
Dave
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Post by Mopacman on Sept 28, 2024 21:14:36 GMT
Gentleman,
I appreciate the input, which is why I posted my initial inquiry. I am interested in keeping the engines, as MTH MoPac E6 engines have not been produced for a long time. If you have some specific information on who has PS3 boards, I would be interested in obtaining that information. I have found a set of MTH E6 AA’s with PS2 for $220. If compatible, they could be substituted for the current chassis on the MoPac.
As I am a Williams guy, working with an MTH engine is out of my comfort zone. I don’t want to “throw good money after bad.”
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Post by david1 on Sept 29, 2024 0:47:35 GMT
You can get PS3 boards from MTH. Just go to their website! Some dealers can order them for you.
Remember that other set you may buy You must change the battery or bcr. before running.
Now if your going to upgrade it to PS3 Find a good dealer or someone to do it.
If your going to upgrade it the total cost is going to be $220.00 plus $400 for the upgrade plus shipping both ways unless you find a local guy that can do it.
Sorry to say I would not pay that cost. But its up to you.
Dave
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Post by harmonyards on Sept 30, 2024 0:41:18 GMT
I’ll play the devils advocate,……sounds like the other fellas are spot on. More than likely this is a 5V board failure. Pretty common these days,……Gary is right, it can be upgraded to PS3 using the PS3 diesel upgrade kits. MTH diesels are by far the easiest to do an upgrade to. The instructions are pretty easy to understand, and if you have decent soldering skills, and can do cable management ( in other words, be neat ) this is very much a DIY project. You can even have mthpartsandsales.com pre-program the board sets before you get them, but even programming them isn’t rocket science ……..If you go the upgrade route, this will give you the chance to completely service everything as you go along ……such as cleaning wheels, rollers, replacing tires, servicing the motors & gears, etc, etc, …..if you really want a MOPAC set, and the models are pristine, at least on the outside, you’re just gonna have a revolving door of blown up 5V MOPAC sets ……and that’s the definition of insanity IMO, …..So if you have some basic skills, you can rebuild the set yourself, or bite the bullet and have a tech do them…..I would, but I have a no diesel clause in my contract, but I can put you in touch with the best of the best when it comes to DCS upgrades,…depending on where you are in the country, I know two guys that are masters in their craft, …..one on the east coast, and one in the middle of the country ……
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Post by superwarp1 on Sept 30, 2024 11:38:22 GMT
I’ll play the devils advocate,……sounds like the other fellas are spot on. More than likely this is a 5V board failure. Pretty common these days,……Gary is right, it can be upgraded to PS3 using the PS3 diesel upgrade kits. MTH diesels are by far the easiest to do an upgrade to. The instructions are pretty easy to understand, and if you have decent soldering skills, and can do cable management ( in other words, be neat ) this is very much a DIY project. You can even have mthpartsandsales.com pre-program the board sets before you get them, but even programming them isn’t rocket science ……..If you go the upgrade route, this will give you the chance to completely service everything as you go along ……such as cleaning wheels, rollers, replacing tires, servicing the motors & gears, etc, etc, …..if you really want a MOPAC set, and the models are pristine, at least on the outside, you’re just gonna have a revolving door of blown up 5V MOPAC sets ……and that’s the definition of insanity IMO, …..So if you have some basic skills, you can rebuild the set yourself, or bite the bullet and have a tech do them…..I would, but I have a no diesel clause in my contract, but I can put you in touch with the best of the best when it comes to DCS upgrades,…depending on where you are in the country, I know two guys that are masters in their craft, …..one on the east coast, and one in the middle of the country …… Right on. I do or have most of my engines upgraded in one way or another. I don't do it because it's economical, I don't do it because a engine is worth it or not. I do it because it's fun and enjoy more features and enjoyment to the layout. Do it or don't do it for what's right for you. 
In fact I have a major project on two K-Line engines coming soon which I'm going to share with the OGF family has it unfolds. Stay tune.
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Post by Mopacman on Oct 11, 2024 21:38:19 GMT
After 3 weeks of working with the vendor, I am being told that the circuit boards are indeed fried. Several years ago, I purchased a new MTH MOPAC Railking PA-1, ABA set. It never ran well from the start, running 10 minutes and than stopping on the track. I sent it in to MTH for repair, and they didn’t find any problems. Of course, it still ran poorly when I got it back. After yet another service visit to an authorized MTH repair dealer, he indicated that the PS 2 boards were the problem. New boards from MTH were over $400 (in 2012). I made the decision to gut it, removed the defective boards, and installed a Dallee Electronics 12 amp E-unit. Although it doesn’t have the features of an MTH engine (sound, remote control couplers, etc.) it runs great, and has for 12 years. I intend to do the same thing to the MTH E6’s. I have another MTH product (SD70) with all the features if I want to run something more elaborate.
Thank you for all your input. Have a great day running your trains!
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Post by ron045 on Oct 12, 2024 12:37:15 GMT
Who determined the slave board was bad in addition to the PS2 board? If the PS2 board is bad, how would you know the slave board is fried?
Assuming there is a possibility the slave board could be just fine, couldn't the OP replace the main A unit with one PS2/3 board and have everything work?
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chuck
New Member
Posts: 44
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Post by chuck on Oct 13, 2024 16:40:29 GMT
Who determined the slave board was bad in addition to the PS2 board? If the PS2 board is bad, how would you know the slave board is fried? Assuming there is a possibility the slave board could be just fine, couldn't the OP replace the main A unit with one PS2/3 board and have everything work? I was thinking the same thing. Those engines need to be sent to a MTH ASC that has the PS2 test fixtures along with the Slave Board harness to test them both.
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